To evaluate a reduction in total radiation dose to the operator during ureteroscopy (URS) for stone disease by using protective lead curtains.
Two studies were planned to compare scattered radiation doses without (n-LC group) and with protective lead curtains (LC group). In study 1, we measured the spatial distribution of the scattered radiation dose using a human phantom simulating URS for stone management for both groups. In study 2, we prospectively randomized patients undergoing treatment for stone disease with URS into n-LC (n = 62) and LC group (n = 61). Scattered radiation dose to the operator during URS were recorded. Primary endpoint was a reduction in effective dose to the operator.
In study 1, there was an 80% reduction in dose at the operator area between the n-LC and LC groups. In study 2, the mean effective doses to the operator in the n-LC and LC groups were 0.33 ± 0.85 and 0.08 ± 0.08 µSv (p = 0.003). The mean doses measured at the neck and waist outside of the lead apron and at the chest inside of the lead apron in the n-LC and LC groups were 2.22 ± 4.56 vs 0.84 ± 0.77 µSv (p = 0.008), 5.48± 12.4 vs 0.76 ± 0.89 µSv (p = 0.001), and 0.10 ± 0.47 vs 0.00 ± 0.00 µSv (p = 0.001), respectively.
These curtains are useful for protecting the operator from scattered radiation, resulting in reduction of total radiation exposure for surgeons performing URS.
Urology. 2017 Aug 02 [Epub ahead of print]
Takaaki Inoue, Atsushi Komemushi, Takashi Murota, Takashi Yoshida, Makoto Taguchi, Hidefumi Kinoshita, Tadashi Matsuda
Department of Urology and Stone Center, General Medical Center, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: ., Department of Radiology, General Medical Center, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan., Department of Urology and Stone Center, General Medical Center, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan., Department of Urology, Hirakata Hospital, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.